UK stag weekend ideas that don't require a passport

So, your best friend’s getting married and you’ve got to organise the stag do. Where do you go – booze cruise in Budapest? Ski trip to France? Clubbing in the Balearics?

Or you could save yourself the logistical headache (and the expense) and book a stag do in the UK. There are lots of unusual stag activities within the British Isles, plus some really impressive large group properties to stay in – all you need to do is gather your gang, load up the car and set off.

We’ve rounded up some unusual stag weekend ideas across the UK, so if you’re looking for stag activities or stag night ideas, we’ve got you covered.

No matter what your stag is into, here are some stag weekend ideas that require all of the usual essentials of a lads' getaway just without the headache of remembering to bring your passport (although we can't guarantee the absence of other types of headache...)!

Take a look at our full range of stag party houses here.

Action & adventure in Snowdonia

Snowdonia is the perfect destination for the stag who likes to go a bit off the beaten track; the one who would shun a night out in a club for an evening spent under canvas in the great outdoors any day.

Spend your day challenging yourselves with some extreme sports in the mountains of Wales, and your evening in a traditional pub getting fodder for the best man’s speech.

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Snowdonia offers a range of board sports to get your adrenaline pumping, although one of them might surprise you. Adventure Parc Snowdonia is one of the few places in the world where you can surf inland, thanks to its surf lagoon, plus the Adrenalin Indoors facility has artificial caving, extreme slides, an aerial assault course as well as a ninja parkour floor trail.

Fancy a ski break but haven’t got the budget to go to Val d’Isère? At Llandudno Snowsports Centre, you can take to the (artificial) slopes to ski, snowboard and toboggan, or jump in a sno-tube to fly down the hill!

Drink

After a day on the slopes or the water, you’ll be desperate for a hearty meal and a good pint. The Golden Fleece Inn near Porthmadog serves Snowdonia Ale from a local microbrewery and is great for both a chilled drink and a big party.

Clubs are few and far between in Snowdonia, but if it’s not a stag do without a Jägerbomb and some terrible dancing, head to One47 in Llandudno. Not only does it have live DJs but you can play pool in the VIP area or catch the big game on TV.

Doze

50 Acre House, Conwy from £14 per person, per night

As the name suggests, this large house is set in 50 acres of land, making it perfect for any outdoorsy stag. Sleeping 10, it’s ideal for a chilled-out stag do  with your best men,and includes board games, a wood burner and a hot tub. You can also bring your bikes, canoes and surfboards as there’s on-site storage available, and a pub is within walking distance.

Outdoor pursuits in Perthshire

Head to wild Perthshire for a stag do that’s a world away from the beaches of Ibiza – perfect for the stag that has bags of energy, a competitive streak and likes doing things that are a little unusual.

Scotland has its own unique charm, with pretty manly traditions dating back centuries – plus, there’s lots of whiskey. Don your kilts for a stag do like no other.

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Competitive stags will love taking part in a Highland Games competition, and there’s loads of providers in Perthshire to choose from. From tug o’war and the caber toss to hurling the haggis and welly wanging, let your competitive streak out in this truly Scottish stag event. 

After you’ve shown the rest of the stags who’s boss, why not head out on a whiskey distillery tour? It’s a great way to get the party started, plus you get to explore the stunning Scottish scenery too.

Drink

If you’re based in Aberfeldy, The Fountain Bar is great for a relaxed evening out with live entertainment and plenty of beer.

Or if it’s a club you’re after, head into Perth. The Loft has VIP areas perfect for stag dos, or head to The Green Room to listen to live music and drink at the beer bar.

Doze

East Powbridge from £15.50 per person, per night.

This luxurious house isn’t your usual stag do location, and suits those looking to pull out all the stops and celebrate in style. Set within the little village of Tibbermore, not far from Perth, it has all the benefits of being close to the city while providing a relaxed setting to spend time with friends in the run up to the wedding. The open plan kitchen diner is great for preparing and eating meals all together, while the chic lounge area invites guests to chill out by the log-burner long into the evening. East Powbridge sleeps 10 (plus 2 dogs) and next door West Powbridge can be booked at the same time to bring the total number of guests up to 18.

Cocktails & class in Cheltenham

Know a stag who likes the finer things in life? A stag do in Cheltenham is ideal for the man who is all about style and class.

With racing, cocktail making and country pursuits, Cheltenham is the perfect destination for a truly classy stag do.

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Fancy a flutter? Coincide your visit with one of Cheltenham Racecourse’s Race Days where you can get suited and booted, wager a bet or two and make the most of the hospitality packages on offer.

Cheltenham is also famous for its stylish bars, many of which offer cocktail making classes. Learn a new skill, have a laugh and get a bit boozy in the process – what could be better? We’d recommend The Botanist for some unusual flavour combinations.

Drink

Continue the classy theme at Hotel du Vin – its cosy but classic atmosphere is the perfect way to kick-start your night out.

Then head to John Gordons, a saloon bar with shelves upon shelves of liquor. Afterwards, pop into The Retreat, a wine bar that’s pretty lively on weekends and always has some great live music.

Doze

Estuary View, Minsterworth from £41 per person, per night

Sleeping 26, this large house can sleep all your mates and then some. It’s a great party house, with an indoor swimming pool, a games room, a cinema room, a hot tub and a fire pit. You can even hire a chef if you don’t want to cook.

History and hauntings in York

Ever wanted to know which one of your friends screams like a girl? You can find out on a stag do to York – it’s been named the most haunted city in Europe, with over 500 ghost sightings to date!

Supernatural sightings aside, Yorkshire's county town is a great destination for the stag who’s a bit of a culture vulture. It’s packed with incredible architecture, historical settings and stylish shops and bars.

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It would be rude not to explore the paranormal side of this spooky city. Take the group on one of York’s many ghost tours to learn about the history of the city and maybe spot a spectre or two.

Afterwards, laugh it off with a comedy show at the Grand Opera House. The Grade II-listed building is pretty impressive in its own right and is a super-cool venue for a night of entertainment for the party of stags.

Drink

Start your night out at The Trembling Madness, an 800-year-old ale house which is, obviously, great for beer. The head to trendy The Nook for street food, cocktails and live music events.

If it’s a club night you’re after, you need to visit Kuda, York’s biggest nightclub with three floors all great for showing off your terrible dance moves.

Doze

Low Burn Cottage from £25 per person, per night.

A great choice for a smaller stag-do, Low Burn Cottage sleeps 8 guests (plus two dogs) and is bursting with olde-worlde character and charm. Suiting the more discerning stag, it has a cosy wood burner, stunning range cooker and all the ingredients for time spent in enjoying the company of the lads before the Big Day. Outside, the wood-fired hot tub is the perfect way to warm up for an evening spent in the local village pub.

Wheely good fun in Kent

If your stag is a total petrol head, Kent is the place to visit. With easy access to London, it also has a great mix of things to do and places to go out.

You can spend the day on the track and then your evening in a quirky bar, before waking up in a unique stag do house in Kent.

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Take the stag party to Bayford Meadows, one of the UK’s top kart circuits for a day of head-to-head competition on the track – the winner will even get a trophy (and bragging rights for the rest of the stag do).

For a more sedate day on wheels, you can explore Leeds Castle (don’t be fooled by the name, it’s very much in Kent) on a Segway tour of the 500 acres of parkland.

Drink

Kent has loads of bars to visit, but Canterbury is the place to visit for a truly unforgettable night out. For something a bit out of the ordinary, head to Houdini’s Magic Bar which combines good drinks with live magic and has a busy calendar of live events.

After a few drinks, make your way to Tokyo Tea Rooms, which has guest mixologists and karaoke booths – a winning combination - just don’t forget to get some video footage for the best man’s speech!

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Ashford Holiday Cottages, Ashford from £15 per person, per night

This cluster of five converted barns are the perfect base for a stag do in Kent. Sleeping up to 16 over five properties means you can bagsey the one without the snoring mate. When you're not sleeping or exploring Kent you can enjoy the games room and BBQ area, plus there are two pubs within walking distance.

Take to the water in London

London is a popular choice for a stag do due to the sheer number of things to do, but we’re recommending it for a slightly different reason.

London’s waterways and sports facilities make it a great destination for an adventurous stag do, with a huge range of very accessible bars and clubs to visit in the evenings.

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Take to the Thames on a kayak for a completely unique view of the city. The guided tour will take you from Chelsea to Big Ben and back and can be done in the day or a night when London’s city lights illuminate the dark evenings.

Or visit Lee Valley White Water Centre – the former London 2012 venue now offers white water rafting on the Olympic course. Throw the stag in at the deep end and then enjoy some drinks in the bar afterwards.

Drink

You’re spoilt for choice for places to go out in London, but we think you’re never going to find anywhere quite like Ballie Ballerson. Simply speaking, it’s a cocktail bar in a ball pit, with over one million balls and plenty of retro cocktails – book the VIP package for an unforgettable night.

If you haven’t had enough of the water by the evening, you can jump aboard a party boat for a silent disco on the river. Float by famous London landmarks while drinking and dancing all night long.

Doze

The Flint House, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire 

When the night finally draws to end, retreat out of the city and back to this country house just 50 minutes from London. A minibus can be organised for your group so that you know how and when you will be getting home after a day of fun and games.

Fun and games in Portsmouth

Fancy a stag do by the seaside? Head to Portsmouth for fresh sea air, plenty of bars and clubs and really, really good beer.

As well as exploring Spinnaker Tower, one of the tallest structures outside London, there are also plenty of other quirky activities on offer. 

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If your stag loves gaming, Portsmouth is a great destination for a truly techy stag do. Game Over on the high street is Portsmouth’s first video game café and has pretty much every video game console you could think of.

Or keep it analogue with a visit to Dice, a board game lounge with plenty of craft beer.

Drink

You can’t go on a stag do to Portsmouth without checking out The Portsmouth Brewery – this brewpub has been serving beer since 1991 and is the perfect way to start your night out.

If you fancy going out-out, head to The Astoria – a favourite with Pompey locals – and book out the VIP balcony.

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Chenies from £34 per person, per night.

Set right on the beach at Middleton-on-Sea, just 26.5 miles from Portsmouth, this huge celebration house sleeps up to 16 guests and one dog and is a unique base for a stag-do to remember. The private heated outdoor swimming pool (April – October), hot tub and small home gym provide plenty to keep you all busy during downtime. The indoor and outdoor spaces are just waiting to be enjoyed, and with a BBQ, croquet, space for 5-a-side football and the pubs of Middleton on Sea just a short walk away, it ticks all the boxes for a great stag-do.

Activities, nights out and somewhere incredible to stay – a stag do in the UK is not only easy, but it’s sure to be unforgettable too. Browse our full range of stag do houses in the UK and start planning the ultimate stag weekend.

Psst… while you’re here, why not point the maid of honour in the direction of these UK hen party houses with spa facilities?